The Mets are on the hunt for a right-handed batter, and they've set their sights on Austin Hays, an outfielder who's been making waves. According to Jon Heyman, the Mets have been quietly discussing Hays internally, showing genuine interest in his services. Hays, a 30-year-old, is coming off a remarkable 2025 season with the Reds, where he hit a solid .266 with an impressive .768 OPS across 103 games. This performance marks a significant improvement from the previous year, when Hays struggled with an OPS+ of 98, just two points below the league average, between the Orioles and Phillies.
What sets Hays apart is his exceptional ability to hit left-handed pitchers. In 105 plate appearances against southpaws last season, he boasted an impressive .319/.400/.549 slash line. This talent is further highlighted by his career .819 OPS and 25 home runs against left-handed pitchers, making him a formidable force in the lineup.
The Mets' need for a right-handed bat is evident, as they finished 17th in the league in slugging percentage against lefties last season, even with Pete Alonso in the lineup. The team has undergone significant changes this offseason, trading away Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers and Jeff McNeil to the A's, both of whom had extensive outfield experience. This move signals a shift in the team's strategy, breaking up the long-standing core and paving the way for new talent.
With Juan Soto and Tyrone Taylor already in the outfield, the Mets are looking to fill the gap left by Nimmo and McNeil. President of baseball operations David Stearns has confirmed that top prospect Carson Benge will get a chance to make the big club out of spring training. However, the question remains: can Hays fill the void left by Nimmo and McNeil, and what impact will he have on the Mets' outfield dynamics?
